Talking Points....
May 12, 2026
This week's group discussion will focus on Pastor Taffy's authoritative sermon "Be a Kingdom Influencer."
I. Be a Kingdom Influencer.
A. Today we hear a lot about influencers.
1. Influencers have the power to shape beliefs and attitudes, and possibly make you want to buy something.
2. If you are good at being an influencer, you can gain many followers and earn quite a bit of money.
3. Why do you think people are so desperate to find someone to influence them in the times we are in?
B. Some people who are not looking to be influencers, become one because something they did went viral.
1. What things should we do to make sure we go "viral" in a way that glorifies God and doesn't drive people away from Him?
C. We are all called to be Kingdom Influencers.
1. An influencer is one who inspires or guides the actions of others.
2. Matthew 5:16 - In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
3. How does it make you feel to know that God wants you to be an influencer for Him?
D. Be responsible.
1. A Kingdom Influencer sees a problem, and works to resolve it instead of ignoring it, waiting for someone else to do something about it.
2. 2 Samuel 20:1, 2, 6, 7, 15, 16 - There happened to be a troublemaker there named Sheba son of Bicri, a man from the tribe of Benjamin. Sheba blew a ram’s horn and began to chant:
“Down with the dynasty of David!
We have no interest in the son of Jesse.
Come on, you men of Israel,
back to your homes!”
So all the men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba son of Bicri. But the men of Judah stayed with their king and escorted him from the Jordan River to Jerusalem.
Then David said to Abishai, “Sheba son of Bicri is going to hurt us more than Absalom did. Quick, take my troops and chase after him before he gets into a fortified town where we can’t reach him.”
So Abishai and Joab, together with the king’s bodyguard and all the mighty warriors, set out from Jerusalem to go after Sheba.
When Joab’s forces arrived, they attacked Abel-beth-maacah. They built a siege ramp against the town’s fortifications and began battering down the wall. But a wise woman in the town called out to Joab, “Listen to me, Joab. Come over here so I can talk to you.”
3. Have you ever noticed a problem, ignored it, and waited for someone else to do something about it? How did that go?
E. We need to make sure they are listening.
1. 2 Samuel 20:17 - As he approached, the woman asked, “Are you Joab?”
“I am,” he replied.
So she said, “Listen carefully to your servant.”
“I’m listening,” he said.
2. What should we do to make sure people are listening when we speak?
F. Be respectful.
1. A true Kingdom Influencer needs to show respect to those around them.
2. How can we show respect to those around us, even if they aren't being respectful to us?
G. We need to collaborate with those who we are trying to get to listen to us.
1. We may not agree with those in authority, but we need to respect them and their authority.
2. Romans 13:1 - Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.
3. Why is it important to respect authority even if we don't agree with them, in order to influence them for His Kingdom?
H. It takes courage to be a Kingdom Influencer.
1. We need to stand up for our family, church, city, or anything else God is calling us to protect.
2. 2 Samuel 20:18, 19 - Then she continued, “There used to be a saying, ‘If you want to settle an argument, ask advice at the town of Abel.’ I am one who is peace loving and faithful in Israel. But you are destroying an important town in Israel. Why do you want to devour what belongs to the Lord?”
3. When we are lacking courage, what can we do to strengthen our courage?
I. Stop minimizing your influence in His Kingdom.
1. We need to not minimize our prayers.
2. We need to stand up for what is right.
3. If you find yourself minimizing your influence, and feeling like you can't do anything, what things do can you do to change that?
J. Because of our influence, we can be offered a chance for peace.
1. 2 Samuel 20:20-22 - And Joab replied, “Believe me, I don’t want to devour or destroy your town! That’s not my purpose. All I want is a man named Sheba son of Bicri from the hill country of Ephraim, who has revolted against King David. If you hand over this one man to me, I will leave the town in peace.”
“All right,” the woman replied, “we will throw his head over the wall to you.” Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off Sheba’s head and threw it out to Joab. So he blew the ram’s horn and called his troops back from the attack. They all returned to their homes, and Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem.
2. Share a time that you were offered a chance for peace because of your influence.
K. We need to be ruthless.
1. As Kingdom Influencers, we are called to be ruthless when our enemy is attacking.
2. Why is it important to be ruthless when we are being attacked?
L. We need to be quick to recognize the ungodly things that slip into our lives, and cut them out of our lives.
1. This city, known for having wisdom and making good decisions, allowed a troublemaker to come into their dwelling.
2. What should we be doing, so that we are able to quickly recognize things that will take us away from God and ruin our Kingdom Influence?
M. Kingdom Influencers hear the pulling of the Lord.
1. If something is keeping you from the things of God, it is not beneficial for you.
2. If you are not hearing from the Lord, you are being influenced by someone or something else.
3. How has hearing from the Lord helped you to be a Kingdom Influencer?
N. As Christians, every day, we are called to be influencers for the Kingdom of God.
1. We all have people in our lives that we influence, regardless if we recognize it or not.
2. Our words, actions, and presence are all instruments that can be used to be influential for our King.
3. How can we daily remind ourselves of our ability to influence His Kingdom?
O. People are watching and waiting for our influence.
1. The world is longing to see what God will do in and through, and by and for, and with the man or woman who is totally sold out for Christ.
2. How would the world be different if more people understood their influence for His Kingdom?
P. We need to guard the influence that comes into our homes.
1. We need to teach those around us that they are valuable.
2. We need to teach people that they have purpose.
3. We need to teach others the importance of guarding and protecting themselves.
4. What tools have helped you to guard the influence that comes into your home?
Q. Reflection time.
1. What has stood out to you the most with this message "Be a Kingdom Influencer"
This week's group discussion will focus on Pastor Taffy's authoritative sermon "Be a Kingdom Influencer."
I. Be a Kingdom Influencer.
A. Today we hear a lot about influencers.
1. Influencers have the power to shape beliefs and attitudes, and possibly make you want to buy something.
2. If you are good at being an influencer, you can gain many followers and earn quite a bit of money.
3. Why do you think people are so desperate to find someone to influence them in the times we are in?
B. Some people who are not looking to be influencers, become one because something they did went viral.
1. What things should we do to make sure we go "viral" in a way that glorifies God and doesn't drive people away from Him?
C. We are all called to be Kingdom Influencers.
1. An influencer is one who inspires or guides the actions of others.
2. Matthew 5:16 - In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
3. How does it make you feel to know that God wants you to be an influencer for Him?
D. Be responsible.
1. A Kingdom Influencer sees a problem, and works to resolve it instead of ignoring it, waiting for someone else to do something about it.
2. 2 Samuel 20:1, 2, 6, 7, 15, 16 - There happened to be a troublemaker there named Sheba son of Bicri, a man from the tribe of Benjamin. Sheba blew a ram’s horn and began to chant:
“Down with the dynasty of David!
We have no interest in the son of Jesse.
Come on, you men of Israel,
back to your homes!”
So all the men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba son of Bicri. But the men of Judah stayed with their king and escorted him from the Jordan River to Jerusalem.
Then David said to Abishai, “Sheba son of Bicri is going to hurt us more than Absalom did. Quick, take my troops and chase after him before he gets into a fortified town where we can’t reach him.”
So Abishai and Joab, together with the king’s bodyguard and all the mighty warriors, set out from Jerusalem to go after Sheba.
When Joab’s forces arrived, they attacked Abel-beth-maacah. They built a siege ramp against the town’s fortifications and began battering down the wall. But a wise woman in the town called out to Joab, “Listen to me, Joab. Come over here so I can talk to you.”
3. Have you ever noticed a problem, ignored it, and waited for someone else to do something about it? How did that go?
E. We need to make sure they are listening.
1. 2 Samuel 20:17 - As he approached, the woman asked, “Are you Joab?”
“I am,” he replied.
So she said, “Listen carefully to your servant.”
“I’m listening,” he said.
2. What should we do to make sure people are listening when we speak?
F. Be respectful.
1. A true Kingdom Influencer needs to show respect to those around them.
2. How can we show respect to those around us, even if they aren't being respectful to us?
G. We need to collaborate with those who we are trying to get to listen to us.
1. We may not agree with those in authority, but we need to respect them and their authority.
2. Romans 13:1 - Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.
3. Why is it important to respect authority even if we don't agree with them, in order to influence them for His Kingdom?
H. It takes courage to be a Kingdom Influencer.
1. We need to stand up for our family, church, city, or anything else God is calling us to protect.
2. 2 Samuel 20:18, 19 - Then she continued, “There used to be a saying, ‘If you want to settle an argument, ask advice at the town of Abel.’ I am one who is peace loving and faithful in Israel. But you are destroying an important town in Israel. Why do you want to devour what belongs to the Lord?”
3. When we are lacking courage, what can we do to strengthen our courage?
I. Stop minimizing your influence in His Kingdom.
1. We need to not minimize our prayers.
2. We need to stand up for what is right.
3. If you find yourself minimizing your influence, and feeling like you can't do anything, what things do can you do to change that?
J. Because of our influence, we can be offered a chance for peace.
1. 2 Samuel 20:20-22 - And Joab replied, “Believe me, I don’t want to devour or destroy your town! That’s not my purpose. All I want is a man named Sheba son of Bicri from the hill country of Ephraim, who has revolted against King David. If you hand over this one man to me, I will leave the town in peace.”
“All right,” the woman replied, “we will throw his head over the wall to you.” Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off Sheba’s head and threw it out to Joab. So he blew the ram’s horn and called his troops back from the attack. They all returned to their homes, and Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem.
2. Share a time that you were offered a chance for peace because of your influence.
K. We need to be ruthless.
1. As Kingdom Influencers, we are called to be ruthless when our enemy is attacking.
2. Why is it important to be ruthless when we are being attacked?
L. We need to be quick to recognize the ungodly things that slip into our lives, and cut them out of our lives.
1. This city, known for having wisdom and making good decisions, allowed a troublemaker to come into their dwelling.
2. What should we be doing, so that we are able to quickly recognize things that will take us away from God and ruin our Kingdom Influence?
M. Kingdom Influencers hear the pulling of the Lord.
1. If something is keeping you from the things of God, it is not beneficial for you.
2. If you are not hearing from the Lord, you are being influenced by someone or something else.
3. How has hearing from the Lord helped you to be a Kingdom Influencer?
N. As Christians, every day, we are called to be influencers for the Kingdom of God.
1. We all have people in our lives that we influence, regardless if we recognize it or not.
2. Our words, actions, and presence are all instruments that can be used to be influential for our King.
3. How can we daily remind ourselves of our ability to influence His Kingdom?
O. People are watching and waiting for our influence.
1. The world is longing to see what God will do in and through, and by and for, and with the man or woman who is totally sold out for Christ.
2. How would the world be different if more people understood their influence for His Kingdom?
P. We need to guard the influence that comes into our homes.
1. We need to teach those around us that they are valuable.
2. We need to teach people that they have purpose.
3. We need to teach others the importance of guarding and protecting themselves.
4. What tools have helped you to guard the influence that comes into your home?
Q. Reflection time.
1. What has stood out to you the most with this message "Be a Kingdom Influencer"